Varun's Bikes, Stayer, Cotic, that singlespeed Rockhopper....

You're right but I've mislaid the little wee washers that came with mine! Time to get lathey lathey
Oh and before I forget to shout out that @Tijmen special frame bag ofc!!

I'm jealous of the lathey time!

And thanks :)

I knew I did actually run struts once before! Felt clonky and looked a bit meh, but the former may have had to do with lugging a massive saddle bag around Wales….

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Loving the OG content here! About the Carradice struts, they might look better locked into a Salsa seat clamp with rack eyelets? Just a random thought

Yay, there’s quite a backlog! And tbh that’s not a bad shout. Having the hecking great stays leading from the chainstays looked bizarre. Seems a shame though, as I bought the frame specifically with rack braze ons requested!

Also, while you’re here, I must say you’re tempting me greatly to build a fixed audax/road bike……

Some thoughts about Bagman/Saddle bag combinations. I've currently got the Standard size Bagman and swap between a 9L Carradice Super C Audax bag, and the larger 23L Super C. The Standard Bagman is fine with the smaller saddlebag, and.....fine with the larger bag. But it always looks like its either sat too high, or feels like its tilting backwards a tad, to the point that either my backside rubs against it (especially when descending) or if I'm wearing a bum bag, it actually rests on the saddlebag and often pushes upwards, painfully, into my lower back.

I can't decide if I ought to just the get the Bagman Expedition (which might be too big for the smaller bag) or put up with the smaller size, as I really only ever use the bigger bag once every month or so for one trip.

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Few from the weekend just gone in the New Forest, with the Cotic. Spent most of it enjoying the crunchy gravel, the company of friends I hadn’t met in very long and having some major bike envy. The Cotic seemed utilitarian and functional, very fun but nothing as pretty as the others (not least @Browndonneur ‘s Bassi 👀). It rode beautifully though so maybe there’s something to be said for perspective.

The setup in the last image was decent - tent and sleeping bag on the rear rack along with tent poles and some slippers, all spare clothes out front in my battered old Alpkit roll bag, food and small luxuries inc. toiletries, kindle etc in the frame bag, stem bags and a bum bag. Sony A6000 slung behind my back. I definitely felt that I could have done with loading some more on the bike; the bum bag in particular was super bulky. Perhaps my old Carradice mini panniers, or some fork cage bags, would ease that load. It was fine for just two days’ camping though.

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Great photos and a total delight to finally meet you in person Varun! I ‘raw-dogged’ the journey home in radio silence with a wry smile :)

It was amazing finally meeting you too! That expression lives rent-free in my mind now :D
Consensus from friends says you were the most stylish person in the group that included Hawaiian T-shirts and tie-dye, btw

Time for something new. I’ve got something of a tortured history with Raleighs over the years, starting with a student ‘87 Equipe build (grey bike, brown brick wall) that I somehow mistightened the wheel cones on and then regrettably sold, to a Clubman (maroon bike, disembodied hand) I ran singlespeed last year only for both tires and tubes to almost constantly puncture, and then I lost interest on the build. This most recent build I blame/praise on this forum, whose proliferation of SS audax builds (@Marcootsee ‘s one being a notable recent favourite) has been very distracting/inspiring.

Anyway, after selling loads on eBay I put a punt on this Raleigh Record Ace frameset, and voila. Horizontal (but not track) dropouts mean I can run SS/fixed or gears as I choose. Classic 27” wheel geo, but long reach callipers should allow 700C wheels to fit.

The plan is for mudguards, frame pump, bagman, drop bars and wide 700x32+ rubber if it’ll fit, ready for long rides around the rolling hills of Warwickshire.

So far parts for this build have been almost fully sourced from @trigs ‘ generous parts bin, though I am after a nice high-flange flip-flop wheelset and of course, tires. Anyone got any hanging about?

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Thanks for the compliment! Can't wait to see it built up!

Likewise! The frame and parts are in the post now, what a great start to summer school holidays!

Took the old Rockhopper out for a coffee run in the woods today. This bike deserves more time on here. It’s only recently been converted fully SS and does get left out in the rain loads, so is crusty as hell. Ideal for summer spins in the woods though.

This place is known to long-term Coventrians as the ‘Devil’s Dungeon.’ Popular DIY dirt jump track and trails. Bit ragged now with litter left everywhere. I ought to come back with panniers and do a trash free trails litter pick.

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More Rockhopper. Needs some work tbh. The rear mudguard bridge isn’t drilled and is also quite rusty so could do with some attention. SS setup works fine but the chain is super rusty and probably won’t survive any serious use. For now, it takes the role of bestickered lockup pootle fun bike.

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The RRA frame is here! Housemate (who is somewhat colour-blind) wondered if I should repaint it. Personally I really quite like the slight patina and occasional scuff that comes through the greeny silver paint, it’s very characterful. There’s a slight sparkle to it in the right light that suggests maybe a metallic paint was used.

Anecdotally the 531 frame feels lighter and slimmer than any steel frame I’ve previously seen, though this could just be compared to my rather overbuilt Cotic, beefy Stayer and having no point of direct comparison.

Threads, headtube/BB shell roundness and the seattube all seem in good shape, so next step is hopefully tomorrow when most of the components and finishing kit are due to arrive.

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Go on, let’s actually include a picture of the full frameset.

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Screaming into the void mkviii. A huge bulk of components arrived this morning so I can complete c. 80% of the build. A few thoughts:

• it’s Very greeny silver. Not necessarily in a good way IMO. Kinda in my grandmother’s medicine cupboard kinda way. I think the more I build this up, the more it becomes a contender for a future respray in possibly metallic dark green, yellow serif decals.
  
• atm, it feels a bit like nice components, Nitto, Huls, frame pump, wheels (which will also be silver….) fitted onto a so-so looking frame.
  
• Brakes (Tektro long-drop) don’t fit because the bolt head diameter is too big, an expected but frustrating problem. To drill or not to drill? That is the question.
  
• Yes, the headset/crown race aren’t in yet as I can’t find my headset press. Contemplating ordering a new one vs just taking it to the man on Monday.
  
• Feels super light so far. Will the wheels, BB, cranks and brakes change that?
  

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thats really nice... And now I know what the color on mine used to look like!

Is the brake bolt issue one where you can’t get the recessed brake nut in or is it a full bolt problem?

Looks delightful and considered though - love the pump strap!

Oooooooh, I love what you’ve done with it!!!!! The flame-kissed look is 👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾

The former! The fixed road chat have been very helpful with advice on that regard so I’m going to try some things. Mainly flipping front brake to go on the back and drilling out the fork crown for the brake bolt, or drilling out both front and rear brake holes.
The pump strap was a happy coincidence - I’ve got four of those left over from converting Carradice bags to QR!

That's a very nice little project you've got yourself! Kinda digging the colour, should look good with silver components.

I've got some tan wall 32c GravelKing SKs going spare if you're still looking for tyres?

Ooooh maybe! May I rain check on that ‘til Wednesday when hopefully my wheels arrive please? That way I can check for sure how much clearance I have.

Yeah for sure! Drop me a message and I can send them across to you if you think they'll fit.